Moving truck driving tips?

[antonmnster]

60 miles isn't much.

We rented a 24' for a 150 mile move a while back. A few things I remember:

1. GO FOR THE DIESEL! You'll pay a lot less at the pump.

I could only get a 7.4L gasser, and keeping the pedal completely to the floor for 3 hours cost a LOT of money. But I was driving 70-75mph.

2. Go slow until you're comfortable. If you haven't driven something big before, take it easy. Confidence comes pretty quickly though.

3. Be prepared for trouble. On another move, we got a POS UHaul with an old IH diesel and a 5 speed. Was pretty cool to drive, and CHEAP, but I did manage to hang it up on a steep alley approach. The rear bumper scrapped the street and one rear wheel dipped into a pothole. I couldn't move! Had to call for a tow. A 6" tow...

In retrospect, I just should have jacked it and slid something under, or jammed something under as the wheel spun. The moral of the story is stuff happens when you really don't want it to.

 

[Kuato]

+1 on setting up the mirrors beforehand. Make sure to start braking much earlier than you are used to.

 

[TMoto]

Other than what's already been said, be sure to take turns wide enough to not jump a curb or hit anything. You may need to use the outside lane for turns if there are more than one.

Keep in mind the pivot point at the wheels, as the rear of the truck can swing around on you and hit something.

Low bridges have already been mentioned, but watch out for other low obstacles like carport roofs, porches, etc. A 17' truck shouldn't be an issue at gas stations but I've seen some 24' trucks that have.

Use packing blankets and bringing your own is much cheaper than using theirs. Pack tight and use straps or rope to prevent the load from shifting.

If the truck is equipped with a trailer hitch, make sure your shin radar is turned on.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Just 60 miles? Just get in, adjust your mirrors and go. There's no magic or rocket science involved in driving one.

Make sure your load is packed tight and tied down. Everything will tend to shift to the right due to the crown of the road, so make sure you put the tall items on the right wall.

Just use a little common sense.

 

[NateDN10]

I just moved a couple weeks ago, and drove a 16' Budget van.

Take it slow, and test the brakes while loaded so you know what you're working with.

Adjust the mirrors, go for a short test drive and re-adjust if necessary.

Blocks for the wheels if you're going to be parking it on any kind of hill. The parking brake in the truck I rented didn't work at all.

 

[NYSteve]

I would use Penske over the others. I have done two cross country moves and Penske by far has the newest, and cleanest trucks compared to UH or others. Additionally, you get big discounts for online rental and AAA or military discounts.

You're only moving 60 miles, but if you are keeping your stuff locked in the truck overnight, I would recommend one of these:
http://www.rangerlock.com/ranger_lock_guard_leading_innovator_of_lock_guard_technology.php

 

[opus1]

One off-the-wall tip, don't let the empty trip from the rental place to your residence freak you out. When I moved, the empty truck bounced around and I was really worried about making the actual move. Once the truck was loaded down with stuff, it handled much better.

And like everyone else has said, take it easy, you're not driving a sports car. Drive slower, brake sooner, etc.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I reserved a 16' Box Fan from Penske. Ended up with a 26' box van gas job. It was literally bigger than the studio apartment.

PAY ATTENTION to the steering. I'm used to the quick steering in my Cherokee and Focus. Almost caught a few curbs from not realizing I had to spin the steering wheel 300000000000000000000 revolutions to make a right turn at an intersection.

Other than that, expect to get poor mileage. My 5.4 26' box truck got 3.4 miles per gallon for the move.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Ended up with a 26' box van gas job.


They always run on gas! The diesel Uhaul is a unicorn!

 

[sciphi]

We're renting the truck at 8 AM on a weekday and returning it the next day. No overnight storage in this truck.

Most of the drive is pure interstate. We'll be sure to take it slow, and not use the A/C unless absolutely necessary. I'll be stinky from the move, and sweating it out for an hour and a half is not an issue.

Thanks for all the tips! I'm looking forward to piloting this craft!

 

[The_Jeff]

Be prepared for Arizona (fleet) plates, no state inspection required, and a steering box that you simply suggest directional changes; you don't order them.

 

[yonyon]

The cab is small and the truck is heavy. Running the AC just might move the fuel gauge a tick on a 600 mile move. On a 60 mile move just run the AC if you feel like it and put an extra 50 cents worth of fuel in before you drop it off. Being uncomfortable might change the way you drive for the worse.

 

[rslifkin]

The last Uhaul truck I rented (in September) was to tow a car trailer with the Jeep on it. I ended up with a 17' box (24' overall, IIRC) E-450 (06 or 07, I think, with about 58k miles on it) with a 6.8 V10. It did fine, even with 6500 lbs of trailer behind it and minimal stuff in the truck. Just be gentle and be mindful of how you load it, and you should be fine.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: antonmnster
60 miles isn't much.

We rented a 24' for a 150 mile move a while back. A few things I remember:

1. GO FOR THE DIESEL! You'll pay a lot less at the pump.


The newest diesel U-Haul is 18 years old and will probably have 200,000 miles. Everything after 1996 is gas...the 17's are Ford V10's. Figure 10MPG from a V10 E350.

Quote:
I could only get a 7.4L gasser, and keeping the pedal completely to the floor for 3 hours cost a LOT of money. But I was driving 70-75mph.

2. Go slow until you're comfortable. If you haven't driven something big before, take it easy. Confidence comes pretty quickly though.


That. If you have never driven a truck, practice backing in a big parking lot BEFORE swinging into the narrow, uphill driveway!

Quote:
3. Be prepared for trouble. On another move, we got a POS UHaul with an old IH diesel and a 5 speed. Was pretty cool to drive, and CHEAP, but I did manage to hang it up on a steep alley approach. The rear bumper scrapped the street and one rear wheel dipped into a pothole. I couldn't move! Had to call for a tow. A 6" tow...

In retrospect, I just should have jacked it and slid something under, or jammed something under as the wheel spun. The moral of the story is stuff happens when you really don't want it to.


That.

Also, before leaving, do a full walkaround. Document any damage (cell phone pix/video help here), check the oil and coolant, check all lights. I would put a gauge on the tires.

If this is a one-way move, those trucks tend to be newer and nicer...the beaters are used for local rental.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Ended up with a 26' box van gas job.


They always run on gas! The diesel Uhaul is a unicorn!


U-Haul is all gas now...the bigger (22'+) Penske and Ryder trucks are diesels.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Maybe you'll luck out and get the one with the Toyota cab.


I don;'t think they have any left. All the small trucks I see now are the SRW GMC's.

 

[55Test]

I drove a 27 foot Uhaul truck last month to help a friend do a snort distance move. This one had the Vortec 8100 and 5 speed automatic transmission. I found that driving it wasn't bad really, just had to brake a bit early and leave extra room when making turns. Backing up was another matter, I needed a spotter for that. Oh, and pay close attention to the rear overhang. I almost got the truck stuck going up a small uphill driveway with a sharp turn at the bottom.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I should have got a medium duty truck with diesel power ... probably would have got more than 3 mpg.

 

[MetalSlug]

drive slow

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Ended up with a 26' box van gas job.


They always run on gas! The diesel Uhaul is a unicorn!



There are no more big block medium duty trucks being made as I understand it, so sooner or later I guess they will have to transition over on the real big uhauls.

Back around 2000, I had a 454 Penske top kick.